PUPILS and staff at Coventry's Finham Park School will be offered a chest X-ray and a skin test following an outbreak of tuberculosis.

The Telegraph reported earlier that a 15-year-old girl at the school, Green Lane South, had been diagnosed with the disease.

Tuberculosis (TB) is most commonly spread in droplets being coughed or sneezed into the air.

It most commonly affects the lungs, but it can affect other parts of the body and it can cause meningitis.

But with effective antibiotic treatment, it is possible to make a full recovery.

Now a special screening process will take place at Finham Park next week, offering 150 pupils and teachers a skin test at the school and the option of a chest X-ray at Coventry's University Hospital.

Special clinics will be set up at the hospital to accommodate demand.

Simon Dudman, head of communications for Coventry Teaching Primary Care Trust, said: "It is important to remember that the risk of TB spreading is extremely low and normally only occurs after prolonged close contact with an infected person.

"The PCT has put in place precautionary arrangements after identifying a probable case of TB at Finham Park School.

"A number of pupils and staff who may have had closer contact with the identified person have been offered screening and this is due to take place next week.

"Screening involves a Mantoux skin test, to be carried out within the school setting, and a simple chest X-ray, which will be carried out at special clinics arranged by University Hospital.

"These tests will be followed up as necessary and a decision as to what this means will be taken once the screening has been completed and results examined.

"Coventry Teaching PCT follows national guidelines introduced by the Department of Health in 2005 which suspended the schools BCG vaccination programme for older children in favour of an improved targeted neonatal and other at risk-based programme. Details of people who are considered at greater risk can be found at www.immunisation. nhs.uk."

Routine jabs were scrapped

TB JABS have not been administered in schools since September 2005.

The Joint Committee on Vaccines and Immunisations (JCVI) recommended replacing the school BCG vaccination programme in favour of targeting the following risk groups:

* All babies living in areas where the incidence of TB is 40 per 100,000 of the population or greater.

* Babies whose parents or grandparents were born in a country with a TB incidence of 40 per 100,000 or higher.

* Previously unvaccinated new immigrants from high prevalence countries for TB.

Victoria MacCallum, a Department of Health spokeswoman, said: "Anyone who really wanted a vaccine for themselves or their child would have to see their GP.

"It would be the doctor's decision whether they were at risk.

"If they weren't in a high risk group the doctor would probably advise against it.

"The person would then have to find a private doctor and pay privately. Costs vary across the country from around £50 to £100."

The UK is one of the first countries in the world to have a comprehensive TB action plan.